ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23143, 15 September 1938, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

I ST. JAMES* THEATRE Based on tho novel by Erich Maria Remarquo, famous author of "All Quiet on tho Western Front," the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer dranYa "Three , Comrades" will bo shown at St. James' ' Theatre to-day. Tho strong cast includes Robert Taylor, Margaret Sullavan, Franchot Tone and Robert Young. Two popular plavers from recent musical successes, Allan Jones and Judy Garland, have the chief roles in tho brilliant musical comedy "Every- , body Sing," which will open its season [ St. James' Theatre to-morrow. Miss Garland appears as a young girl at school who is expelled for the fifth time when sho converts the morning , singing hour into a pandemonium of , modern "swing" music. When she arrives homo she expects to receive the 1 full force of her father's wrath, but i discovers, to her amazement, that the , family is too occupied in its own _ affairs to notice her misdemeanours. IJer father and mother are interested in producing si play and the young girl rinds herself in opposition to them , when sho joins a singing chef (Allan > Jones) and stages a. musical produci tion. Good performances are given bv i [J 10 supporting cast,? which includes 3 f anny Bnce, Reginald Owen and Billio , lJurko, ■ MAYFAIR THEATRE Maurice Chevalier and Jack Bu--I*ll1 113 V head the cast in tho comedy ■ Break tho News," which will con--1 tin no its season at the Mavfair Theatre ■ to-dav. Tho second attraction is "Talk of the Devil," in which Ricardo Cortoz #v crs have the principal roles. Ginger Rogers makes a departure from her usual "song and dance" role in the R.K.O. Radio film "Vivacious i -X.'. i?,h will. be presented at the Mayfair Theatre to-morrow. Miss Rogers appears as a singer in a cabaret with whom James Stewart immediately rails in love'as he: is passing through the cafe. Stewart is cast as a i>rotessor from a small country town who comes to New York to rescue a cousin (James Ellison) from the clutches of a gay social lady, but the advent of the singer makes him chsmge his plans. Iho professor and the cabaret entertainer are married and many amusing scenes follow when they return to the university and attempt to keep their marriage secret. MAJESTIC THEATRE J lie well-balanced programme to be presented at the Majestic Theatre today includes the film "Dangerous to Know " in which Akim Tamiroff and r!;lV ~l , a trici s a PP e ar, and the comedy M.b Clothing." The English comedians Claude Hulbert and Gordon •Marker have the principal roles in tho second attraction. Dick Powell and I'led Waring and his famous Pennsylappear in the bright musical production "Varsity Show," which will bo presented at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow. Winfield College provides the background for the storv, in which the students call upon Chuck Daly (1 owell), a famous Broadway producer, to present a revue similar to those which he produced when he was at the college. Many difficulties, including opposition from the musical professor, threaten to stop the show, nut eventually Daly succeeds in producing a spectacular revue. CIVIC THEATRE Fine performances are given by Loretta Young and Richard Greene, the young British actor, in the 20th Century-Fox production "Four Men and a Prayer," which will continue its season at the Civic Theatre to-day. The supporting roles are in the capablo hands of David Niven. C. Aubrey Smith, George Sanders and William Henry; Hilarious situations and bright musical numbers are a feature of Darrjl F. Zanuck'a latest film, "Sally, Irene and Mary.", which will be presented at the Civic Theatre to-morrow. In tfn amusing story, interspersed with a of new songs, Alice Fave, Joan Davis and Marjorie Weaver appear as three entertainers employed by Fred Allen, whose theatrical productions are always unsuccessful. Tony Martin, Jimmy Durante and Gregory Ratoff are also prominently cast. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES From the novel. "Death Catches Up with Mr. Kluck," the film "Danger on the Air" is to be shown at the Roxv and Tivoli Theatres to-day. The production is built around, tiie death of Mr. Kluck (Benton Churchill), soft drink magnate, whose dead body is found in an office of a big broadcsistiug company. Harry Jones, a part played by Joe Prout.v. tries to make it appear .that the magnate died a natural death, but Benjamin Butts (Donald Woods), a.clover radio engineer, proves that Kluck was poisoned with gas. The issue is confused by the number of enemies which Kluck has made in his lifetime. Fearing that more gas will be released radio performers desert the building. The solution of the crime comes suddenly, the clues being a pin, a toy balloon and a straw. The murder mystery "Extortion," set on the campus of Brill College, is- the second attraction. The film is concerned with tho murder of. the college proctor, Albert Van Dekker, who has made many enemies by various acts. A' police inspector uses a classroom to conduct a class in advanced murder, with the pupils comprising all suspects in the case. The revolver with which Van Dekkor was killed is found in tho locker of Larry Campbell, editor of the collego paper, but, as the gun was owned by the physics professor, both are thrown under suspicion. Tho film ends with a dramatic climax and an unusual solution to the crime. STRAND THEATRE Tho uso of tcchnicolour considerably enhances the dramatic film "Tho Drum," to-day's attraction at tho Strand Theatre. Tho production is set in country beyond the North-west Frontier of India and concerns the lives of troops garrisoned there. A leading role is taken by the boy Sabu, who appeared in the successful film "Elephant Boy." EMBASSY THEATRE Many popular players appear in tho refreshing comedy "Merrily We Live," which is enjoying a phenomenal season at the Embassy Theatre. Brian'Alierne is cast as a novolist who makes his way to the homo of the peculiar Kilbourno family, seeking assistance after his car has gone over a bank. He is mistaken for a tramp, "adopted" by Mrs. Kilbourno, and falls in love* with the daughter, a part played'by Constance Bennett. ASTOR THEATRE Jeanotto Macdonald and Nelson Eddy have tho principal roles in tho musical film "Maytime," to bo shown at the Astor Theatre to-night. The associate, features include Walt Disney's Academy Award Review. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE Tho romantic comedy "Hero Comes tho Band," , in which Nat Pendleton and Spank.v McFarland appear, will bo shown at the Prince Edward Theatre to-night. Tho second attraction is the dr.aifia "Ah! Wilderness." Wallace Beery and Lionel Barrymore lire prominently cast in this film'. , VICTORIA THEATRE The famous dog Caesar will appear on the stage at the Victoria Theatre to-night. The picture programme includes the films "Trailing the Killer" and "Variety."

REGENT THEATRE A novel story is unfolded Ln the bright comedy, "The Perfect Specimen," tho current attraction at the Regent Theatre. The film concerns a young liian (Errol Flynn), reared within the confines of a large and secluded estate by his grandmother, who aims at bringing him up as a perfect specimen of manhood. The advent of a pretty young girl seriously upsets this plan, however, and the young couple elope. Joan Blondcll is cast in a prominent role. I May Robson appears .as tho grandmother. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Amusing performances aro given by the Ritz brothers in the comedy "Kentucky Moonshine," which heads an interesting programme at tho Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres to-night. Peter Lorre has the title role in the second attraction, "Mr. Moto's Gamble." STATE THEATRE The; popular child actress Jane Withers gives an amusing portrayal in the comedy "Wild and Woolly," to ba presented at the State Theatre tonight. Bing Crosby appears in tho second film, "Dottblo or Nothing." % STAR CINEMA . W Tho double-fcaturo programme to he shown at tho Star Cinema to-day includes the drama "Stella Dallas," in which Barbara Stanwyck and John Boles appear, and tho Western film "Roll Along Cowboy." TUDOR CINEMA The singing of the girl soprano Deanna Durbin, is a feature of the Ncnv Universal film "Mad About Music," to be shown at the Tudor Cinema to-night. Fine associate features are also included on the programme.